College can be the best four years of your life. It's your chance to establish your independence, to decide who you want to be, and to make new friends. It certainly won't be the easiest four years of your life, though. While you're figuring out who you want to be, you also have to go to class and study. That's not always the easiest balancing act.
In fact, most of us struggle at one point or another while we're in college. Maybe you take more hours than you should. Maybe you're dealing with a personal crisis and just can't focus on your studies. Or maybe you just have one of those semesters when you're not motivated. Your grades dip a little, and the next thing you know, you're facing an academic sanction. What do you do?
You contact the Lento Law Firm. We know, we hear it all the time: how is a lawyer supposed to help me with my grades? Keep reading, and it'll become clear. For now, just know what the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is on your side. We want to make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every opportunity to earn your degree. It doesn't take much for slipping grades to turn into a full-on landslide, though, so don't wait. At the very first sign of trouble, give us a call at 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Columbia Southern University
Let's start with the basics: what are the academic expectations at Columbia Southern University? According to the school's Academic Progress Policy, you're supposed to keep your cumulative grade point average above 2.0. As long as you do that, you're considered to be in Good standing. Should it fall below that number, though, you face a progressive set of penalties.
- Academic Probation: The moment your GPA drops below 2.0, Columbia Southern places you on Academic Probation. Probation lasts for a minimum of 12 credit hours. As part of Probation, you must develop an “action plan for academic improvement” and meet with an academic advisor. Your advisor may recommend you visit the university Success Center, and you could be limited to one course per term until you return to Good standing.
- Secondary Probation: If your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0, you can continue to a Secondary Probation, provided you earn a 2.5 or better on your Probation coursework.
- Academic Suspension: If you fail to earn a 2.5 while on Probation or you fail to return to Good standing by the end of a Secondary Probation, you are then Suspended from the university. A first Suspension lasts for 9 weeks, and you must submit an office request to be reinstated. Second Suspensions last for 6 months. Third, Suspensions last for a full year. You can take courses at other institutions while serving your suspension, but you cannot return to Columbia Southern until your GPA for this coursework is at least 2.0.
- Academic Dismissal: Finally, Columbia Southern reserves the right to Dismiss students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress. Dismissal means permanent separation from the university. CSU doesn't specify what circumstances might trigger dismissal but suggests that a low term GPA while on Probation could be grounds for dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Columbia Southern doesn't offer any formal means of challenging an academic sanction. Sanctions are based almost exclusively on your GPA, and the university doesn't consider that a matter for debate.
Luckily, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm understand the CSU system and know how to use it to your advantage. For instance,
- If your academic deficiencies were caused by extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness, you can try petitioning your college dean for more time to improve.
- If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report that to the instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade revision or, at a minimum, to file an official grade appeal.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign that you have a learning disability. You may need some course accommodations, like extra time to complete assignments or access to technology during exams. Disability Services can help you find out. You can also ask CSU to drop your low grades and let you retake those courses without penalty.
- If one of your instructors believes you've cheated on an exam or committed plagiarism, they may have lowered your grade on the assignment or lowered your course grade. You have the right to appeal their decision, though, by filing an academic grievance. Even if you admit to the offense, you can contest the severity of the sanction.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades, especially if you have a compelling argument. For instance, if you made significant progress over the course of a term, you might try arguing that you deserve to pass a course even if your scores don't add up to a passing grade.
- One of the easiest approaches to grade negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup assignments. Not every professor is willing to consider such requests, but it could be that one paper rewrite or an extra lab assignment is enough to raise your GPA.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have been working with students for a number of years, and we've learned all the tips and tricks to keep your academic progress on track. We even know one or two your advisor won't tell you about.
Our first job, though, is to sit down with you and examine your particular situation. Only then do we work with you to come up with a plan for moving forward. Of course, we'll also help you implement that plan, whether that involves helping you gather evidence of your academic abilities, drafting a formal appeal, or coaching you on how to negotiate with faculty. Your success is our first priority, and we'll do whatever we can to help get you to graduation.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Columbia Southern diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students just like you respond to academic issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
